One of Britain's most versatile baritones graces the Westmorland Hall stage next Saturday (September 25, 7.30pm) in the first concert of the new sinfonia series.

Stephen Varcoe is billed for the dazzling opening show of the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society season alongside celebrated violinist and conductor Thomas Zehetmair and top ensemble the Northern Sinfonia.

Rebel's Les elemens, Sebastian Bach's Cantata 82 Ich habe genung and the Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola by Mozart feature in the programme, with distinguished viola player and former principal violist of Bern Chamber Orchestra Ruth Killius also in the spotlight.

It hardly seems two minutes since the curtain came down on the 2003-2004 sinfonia season, yet here we are again waxing lyrical about another highly entertaining list of events, which this time around includes a special afternoon family concert on Saturday, October 2 (3pm).

Principal percussionist of the BBC Concert Orchestra Alasdair Malloy presents the show with Quentin Clare conducting the Northern Sinfonia in a family-friendly selection of music, including Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and extracts from Tchaikovsky's popular ballet suite The Nutcracker. (Tickets are adults £10/ children under-15 £5).

It wouldn't be a sinfonia series without the charismatic Wyn Davies conducting. And one of his three stints on the Kendal podium is with the Northern Sinfonia and soprano Catherine Bott on Saturday, October 16 (7.30pm).

Among the 11 concerts in the 2004/2005 series are the superb BBC Philharmonic and Halle orchestras performing on February 19 and April 30 respectively.

The excellent and internationally-renowned pianist Kathryn Scott takes to the Westmorland Hall stage with the BBC conducted by Vasily Petrenko; the 1995 Sibelius Violin Competition winner Pekka Kuusisto is soloist with conductor Susanna Malkki and the Halle.

The real gem for me, though, will be the Amabile Girls Choir singing alongside the Lakeland Sinfonia and established soloists, soprano Margaret Preece and tenor Wynne Evans, all conducted by the dynamic Mr Davies at the Jack Symons Christmas Charity Concert on Saturday, December 18 (7.30pm).

The festive show is always the icing on the cake and with musical director Charlotte Jackson's outstanding young singers it promises to be something really special.

For tickets and full details of the sinfonia society's series contact Tim and Pam Keegan on 01539-722533.